The police said that no-one was in danger. Although the fire is now under control, trees are still unstable and could fall. Firefighters are to stay at the scene for several hours, a police spokesman said.

At peak times, 400 emergency workers were involved in fighting the blaze. According to a spokesman for the fire brigade, three firefighters were injured during the operation. They were taken to a hospital with smoke inhalation but were discharged after treatment.

"We assume that lightning struck the forest and caused the fire," said a police spokesman on Thursday morning.

Emergency services during a briefing. Photo: -/LK HEF-ROF/DPA

High risk of forest fires

There have been several wildfires across Germany due to the spring heatwave that has seen temperatures rise to the high 20s.

Earlier in the week, emergency services battled a huge blaze in a forest area covering about 13 hectares in Thuringia. There have also been fires in Brandenburg and Bavaria.

The German Weather Service (DWD) has put forest fire warnings in place in several parts of the country.

Experts said that higher winds increase the risk of wildfires because it can help spread the blaze.

People in Germany have been warned not to smoke in forests, light any fires in natural areas or throw cigarettes out the windows of cars.

The predicted cooler weather in the coming days is expected to reduce the fire risk.

Vocabulary

Major fire - der Großbrand

Firefighters - die Feuerwehrleute

Kämpfen - to fight

Lightning - der Blitz

We're aiming to help our readers improve their German by translating vocabulary from some of our news stories. Did you find this article useful? Do you have any suggestions? Let us know.